The Central Government has unveiled two major road safety initiatives aimed at significantly reducing fatalities resulting from road accidents. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the Rahveer Scheme, under which any citizen who assists an accident victim in reaching a hospital will receive a reward of Rs 25,000. Additionally, the government has introduced a cashless treatment scheme that will cover hospital expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a period of seven days following a road accident. This coverage applies irrespective of where the accident occurs or which hospital admits the victim.
Key Features of the Schemes
According to findings from an AIIMS expert committee cited by Gadkari, nearly 50,000 lives could be saved annually through timely medical intervention. The Rahveer Scheme aims to encourage bystanders to step forward and provide immediate assistance to accident victims, thereby reducing the critical time gap between the accident and medical care. The cashless treatment scheme ensures that victims receive necessary medical attention without financial burden during the crucial first week after an accident.
Expected Impact
The Centre hopes that these initiatives will foster a culture of responsibility and prompt action among citizens, ultimately helping to reduce India's high road accident death toll. The schemes are part of a broader effort to improve road safety and emergency response mechanisms across the country.
